Assistant Professor, Security Studies

The Opportunity  

The School of Politics, Security, and International Affairs (SPSIA) in the College of Sciences (COS) at the University of Central Florida (UCF) invites applications for a 9-month assistant professor in security studies in the area of cybersecurity with an anticipated start date of August 2025. The job is a tenure-earning position. The focus can be on any aspect of cybersecurity including, but not limited to, military uses of cyber in interstate conflict such as command and control disruption; internet-based political disinformation, social media, and privacy issues; or emerging cyber-related security issues, such as quantum computing, that impact national strategy and the US economy. Other research areas of cybersecurity related to politics are also welcome.

The ideal candidate will have a well-developed research agenda focusing on cyber security at the national and/or international level; clear indicators of promise as a teacher, with the ability to teach cyber security-related courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and to contribute to the security studies Ph.D. program through student supervision. The successful candidate should be willing to teach in different modalities including face-to-face and online. We are especially interested in a candidate who can contribute through their research, teaching, and service to the excellence of our academic community and foster an environment in which faculty, staff, and students from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive.

The School of Politics, Security, and International Affairs (SPSIA) offers a Ph.D. in security studies, a master’s in political science, and bachelor’s degrees in political science and in international & global studies. It is ranked as the #1 Best Online Political Science Bachelors Programs by Best Colleges. UCF SPSIA advances the understanding of politics, security, and international and global affairs in teaching, research, and service. We prepare students for careers and to become engaged citizens, equipping them with knowledge and the critical thinking and decision-making skills necessary to make a positive impact on politics and government at the local, state, national, and international levels. SPSIA also houses five centers, institutes, and programs in addition to its academic programs. SPSIA’s faculty and centers cultivate cutting-edge research agendas and expertise that address society’s biggest challenges and earn recognition across academia, government, and the public and private sectors. For more information about SPSIA, see https://sciences.ucf.edu/politics/.

UCF is one of the most innovative public universities in the nation, as named by the U.S. News & World Report. UCF is a leading, metropolitan, research-intensive university with over 68,000 students. As part of our comprehensive traditional benefits, UCF offers support for expectant mothers, paid parental leave for both parents, on-site pre-school, and professional development and leadership training for all faculty at all career stages. The university offers more than 240 degree programs. UCF is an economic engine, attracting and supporting industries vital to the region’s future while providing students with real-world experiences that help them succeed after graduation. For more information, visit http://www.ucf.edu.

The UCF College of Sciences (COS) houses most of the university’s natural, computational, and social sciences in ten departments and schools, and several centers. Seven departments hold national rankings for best graduate programs. The college’s programs play a key role in advancing UCF as a national research university that is determined to help students from all backgrounds achieve success. For more information, visit https://sciences.ucf.edu/.

Minimum Qualifications: 

A doctorate in political science, security studies, or international affairs (or a very closely related field) from an accredited institution by time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• A demonstrated record of high-quality publications in cyber security.

• A promising research agenda in national/international cyber security that reflects theoretical creativity and empirical sophistication.

• A record of, or potential for, external research funding as appropriate for the discipline.

• The capacity to teach courses related to cyber security at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

• The capacity to teach qualitative and/or quantitative research methods at the graduate and undergraduate levels.

• Willing to teach in different modalities including face-to-face and online.

• Can contribute to the security studies Ph.D. program through doctoral student supervision.

Additional Application Materials Required: 

UCF requires all applications and supporting documents be submitted electronically through the Human Resources employment opportunities website, https://www.ucf.edu/jobs/. In addition to the online application, interested candidates should upload the following:

• A letter of interest

• A current curriculum vitae

• A research statement

• A teaching statement (including, if available, evidence of teaching excellence)

• A list with the names, phone numbers, and email contact information for three professional references (please do not submit a letter of recommendation)

NOTE: Please have all documents ready when applying so they can be simultaneously uploaded. Once the online submission process is finalized, the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later.

The selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts (and, as applicable, U.S. degree equivalency evaluations) documenting the conferral of their qualifying academic credentials.

Questions regarding the position should be directed to Dr. Tom Dolan, Search Committee Chair, at thomas.dolan@ucf.edu.

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

N/A

Job Close Date:

01/02/2025

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you’ll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills and you’ll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.

Working at UCF has its perks! UCF offers:

• Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program. 

• Paid time off, including annual (12-month faculty) and sick time off and paid holidays.

• Retirement savings options. 

• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions. 

• Education assistance.

• Flexible work environment. 

• And more…For more benefits information, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide click here.

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Additional Requirements related to Research Positions:

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.

The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, post-doctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates.

Department

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Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The University of Central Florida is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer including Disabled/Vets.  Click on UCF's Equal Opportunity Statement to view the President’s Statement.

The UCF affirmative action plans for qualified individuals with disabilities and protected Veterans are available for inspection in the Office of Institutional Equity, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., upon request.

As a Florida public university, UCF makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request. 

The University of Central Florida is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.